Job: Learning and Knowledge Management Specialist / Senior Associate

Location: Washington 
Deadline: Friday, 25 October 2013 

Description

Established in 1959, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is today the main source of multilateral financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, guarantees, policy advice and technical assistance to the public and private sectors of its borrowing member countries.

The Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social Development (INDES), within the Bank's Knowledge and Learning Sector (KNL), develops and implements capacity building programs for Bank staff and partner institutions in borrowing member countries. INDES collaborates with the Bank's organizational units to design workshops, face-to-face courses, e-learning programs, open educational resources, and self-learning tools, among other knowledge and training products.

Since 2004 INDES has implemented an online learning environment to generate greater access to training for staff from public and private development institutions in the region. The Virtual Classroom (Aula Virtual) has grown in the past years and there is a projection in 2014 of an even greater increase in the level of activities, delivery modalities, and an expansion in the breadth of topics.

The Virtual Classroom interacts with several thousand participants each year and requires a 24/7 customer service to facilitate the learning process of its participants. A Coordinator is required to organize the interaction between the different actors that participate in the processes of course design, content development, participant selection, delivery, and evaluation of online training.

INDES is offering an opportunity for qualified candidates to apply for the position of e-Learning Coordinator (Learning and Knowledge Management Specialist).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The INDES e-Learning Coordinator will oversee the technical and administrative processes involved in the preparation and implementation of online training. The Coordinator will interface with subject matter experts and INDES staff in the planning phases in order to build partnerships, set out marketing strategies, budget and timeline for each project. The main areas of responsibilities of the position are:

• Coordination in the phase of preparation: Leads and coordinates all the steps involved in the preparation of learning objects. In this capacity serves as a liaison between different stakeholders, including instructional designers, knowledge and learning specialists, graphical designers, IT and administrative support, and subject matter experts. Ensures intermediate deliverable timeframes are met, respecting costing guidelines, quality standards and best practices in the field of training. S/he is responsible for course scheduling and publication, working with the KNL communication team to ensure reliable information is available through the INDES website, social media tools as well as other communication tools. S/he ensures compliance with accreditation standards and is directly responsible for the required documentation and reporting to the accrediting authority.

• Support of online instruction delivery: S/he works with support personnel and KNL IT team to coordinate the delivery of training in different formats in a seamless fashion to participants. Defines participant support needs, and oversees that these are being met during training delivery. S/he plans for and provides resources and training necessary to course coordinators, tutors and assistants in addition to collecting and providing feedback of each learning activity. S/he utilizes this feedback to improve each learning activity in order to ensure quality and continuous improvement as well as maintaining the desired standards in the delivery process.

• Advising and support to technology adoption and selection: S/he analyzes and recommends INDES organizational e-learning technology plan, and manages the implementation of that technology. Gathers information to keep abreast of shifting trends that impact area of expertise, advising INDES on the adoption and use of new technologies. Conducts research and participates in targeted training in order to keep current on the use of technologies for learning. S/he assesses the effectiveness and efficacy of use of such technologies within INDES activities and shares new information as needed with the INDES community. S/he oversees the contract with the platform hosting service provider.

• Resource Planning and Management: The INDES e-Learning Coordinator will directly supervise and manage a team within INDES and is responsible for their performance. S/he should be able to plan and oversee the budget, monitor sources of external revenue, and plan the necessary resources for the completion of various projects related to the virtual classroom.

S/he will be responsible for supervising contractual employees and Bank staff that provides technical, administrative, and graphical design support as well as providing mentorship, procedural and technical work guidance to team members.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in education, distance education, e-Learning, adult education, or other education-related disciplines. Additional certification in project management or distance learning will be a plus.

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the field of e-Learning, with at least two years of practical experience in project management.

• Technical/Functional expertise: Demonstrated working knowledge of Web 2.0 interactive and collaborative applications. Experience in developing or delivering MOOCs or open educational resources is definitely a plus. S/he should be able to understand and explain the technologies involved in the process of design, development and delivery of e-learning products. This includes software packages, web tools, specific computer interfaces, and technical standards. It is expected that s/he will be fluent in several of such technologies, including Moodle, Microsoft Office applications, and web 2.0 tools. Knowledge of authoring software (e.g. Lectora, Camtasia, Articulate, uPerform, etc.) .

• Languages: Written and spoken command of English and Spanish. Working knowledge of a third of the Bank's official languages (either French or Portuguese) is a plus.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

1. Learning & Knowledge Management Systems, Technologies & Platforms

Introduces new technologies methodologies and systems and makes recommendations based on performance and ability to meet user needs (e.g., right system at right cost). Provides technical and conceptual training and consultation on systems and databases.

2. Measurement, Evaluation & Learning Impact

Customizes evaluation tools or methodologies to assess impact in complex or new media learning situations and scenarios: i)Is creative in use of both quantitative and qualitative data gathering tools (e.g., surveys, observation, interview based assessments); ii)Identifies weaknesses in preparation and implementation of learning events or failures of learning from results of prior interventions; iii)Transfers lessons learned from evaluations into future plans and programs.

3. L&KM Project Management

Drives client teams to make timely and accountable decisions on definition, scope and budget: i)Takes a leadership role in clarifying objectives and purpose of L &KM projects; ii)Involves the right stakeholders in making changes to plans so that there is buy-in to any new approach; iii)Manages service level agreements closely with learning and knowledge management vendors to ensure quality and effective completion of requirements; iv)Manages the successful delivery of complex learning interventions with multiple components, dependencies and risks.

4. Project Management

Delivers projects on time and within scope and budget. Makes the most efficient and strategic use of available resources. Applies understanding of project management tools and methodologies to new projects and assignments.

CORE COMPETENCIES

1. Client Focus and Management

Focuses efforts on achieving business results through understanding and meeting internal and external client and stakeholder needs. Values the importance of providing high-quality customer service, while balancing the interests of the client and the IDB.

2. Innovation and Creativity

Generates innovative and creative solutions to problems that contribute to organizational effectiveness. Tries different and novel ways of approaching work to create added value in the services/products provided.

3. Knowledge Sharing

Actively develops and shares knowledge within and outside own business area. Leverages expertise to improve organizational effectiveness and add value within sphere of influence.

4. Collaboration and Influence

Encourages teamwork and cooperates with others to achieve mutually beneficial results. Gains the support of others for own ideas and initiatives, regardless of formal authority and organizational boundaries.

5. Critical Thinking and Judgment

Uses data, experience, and good judgment to make sound decisions and devise effective solutions to problems. Assesses and manages risk in own work.

The IDB is committed to diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities in employment. We embrace diversity on the basis of gender, age, education, national origin, ethnic origin, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and HIV/AIDs status. We encourage women, Afro-descendants and persons of indigenous origins to apply.

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